How to help a cat adopt an adult dog at home. How to make friends a cat with a dog in the apartment? Promoting friendship between dog and cat

Probably everyone is familiar with the saying “they live like a cat and a dog”, because the relationship between these two animals leaves much to be desired. However, many couples and families are faced with the fact that these two pets must get along on the same territory.

Animal lovers who have similar experience are willing to talk about how to make friends with a cat and a dog in an apartment.

First you need to decide who should be started in the first place: a cat or a dog. Many pet owners claim that it is best to have a kitten and a puppy at the same time.

This state of affairs is considered ideal. In this case, most often a strong and lasting friendship is established between the animals, so problems in the future are simply excluded.

However, you should not be upset if the situation is different. If you decide to pick up a kitten on the street, you do not need to abandon this idea just because there is an adult dog in the house. In this case, you need to be patient, understanding and take advantage of the recommendations of experienced professionals.

As already noted, it is better to have a puppy and a kitten at the same time, but the distinctive situations need to be studied in more detail. For example, if you are the owner of a cat, but at the same time you decide to get a puppy, it is better to give preference to an animal aged from 3 to 12 weeks.

If we are talking about the need to make friends with an adult dog with a kitten, it is important to consider the relationship of the first animal to the representatives of the cat family. Most likely, it will not be the best idea to replenish the house in the form of a kitten if the dog on the street behaves extremely aggressively at the sight of cats.

If a four-legged friend does not show interest in cats, there is a chance to establish relations between pets.

As practice shows, it is more difficult to make friends with an adult cat with a small puppy. The fact is that a cat living in the house, at the sight of a new inhabitant, begins to feel that it is losing its place, therefore it can behave extremely aggressively, releasing its claws and hissing. As a rule, dogs concede superiority and do not respond with aggression.

When you first meet a cat with a dog, it is important to take into account the size, because an aggressive animal can not only scare, but also injure a new family member.

In addition, if we are talking about the first meeting of an adult dog with a kitten, you need to remember that an adult animal does not know that you should behave more delicately with smaller brothers. The awareness of this simple fact will come to the dog over time, so in the early stages it is recommended to monitor the behavior of the pet and pull it in dangerous situations.

In order for the cohabitation of a cat and a dog in the house not to cause excessive inconvenience to the owners, it is necessary to think through all the nuances. You can also use the following practical recommendations:

The first meeting between animals should take place at a distance so that the animals have the opportunity to get acquainted with each other's smells. Experts recommend giving preference to the separate keeping of animals in the first two to three days. This will avoid conflicts and at the same time get used to them with the presence of each other.
It is important to exclude excitement on the part of the owners, because this can be transmitted to animals and not have the best effect on their first meeting.
It is also better to choose different rooms for serving food, so that smells evoke only positive associations in animals, which will contribute to quick taming. If this is not possible, you can feed the animals in the same room, but the food should be placed in different directions.
When feeding animals, you first need to put a bowl of food on the animal that is older. It is noted that this approach has a positive effect on the subsequent relationship between animals.
The first four days it is necessary to control the joint stay of animals. As a rule, this period in most cases is enough for the cat and dog to get used to each other and be able to leave them unattended in the future.
Cats and dogs are quite jealous animals. Be sure to try to equally pay attention to each pet, because otherwise conflicts between them cannot be avoided.

Experts assure that the relationship between a dog and a cat depends not only on the above factors, but also on the attitude and behavior of the owners.

Before you start such different animals in the house, you need to thoroughly think about the fact that this step is quite responsible. More attention will be required from the owners, because its lack can cause serious hostility.

Cats and dogs are known for their strained relationship with each other, but that doesn't mean these animals can't be friends. In fact, individual dogs are simply not at all able to get along with cats. However, with proper training planning and a lot of patience, some dogs can be trained to be gentle with cats and even befriend them.

Steps

Advance training planning

Be realistic. Some animals are simply not able to get along with each other. If you already have a dog, think carefully before getting a cat. No matter how much you want to make a new furry friend, it would be unfair to both animals to make such a big change in their lives without realizing how it can affect their quality of life. The American Society for the Protection of Animals believes that a dog that is aggressive in the presence of a calm, motionless cat, or that clearly loses the ability to concentrate on anything other than a cat, will probably never be able to peacefully coexist with that animal.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Teaching a dog the proper attitude towards cats is quite difficult, and sometimes impossible. If you do not have sufficient training experience, this task may not be up to you. But in such a situation, professional dog training instructors can help you assess your dog's limits and develop a more detailed training strategy.

Have reasonable expectations. Most likely, the training will be a long process. Don't expect too much too soon and don't be surprised if the animals feel hostility or fear towards each other at first.

Start learning from an early age. Puppies and kittens that grow up together have the highest chance of getting along well into adulthood. If you already have an adult dog, consider getting a kitten rather than an adult cat. The kitten will be less likely to be afraid of the dog and provoke its instinctive desire to chase the fleeing prey.

Get your dog checked out. If you know the owners of a particularly docile cat or a cat that is friendly with dogs, ask if you can bring your dog over for a supervised test of their relationship with cats. This step will allow you to understand how difficult it will be to train a dog to live peacefully with a cat.

Start pre-training. If you're determined to get a cat, start bringing cat-smelling things home (grooming tools, bedding, etc.). Prepare baby gates, litter boxes, food bowls, and scratching posts before your cat arrives so your dog has time to get used to all these items.

Adaptation of the dog to the presence of a cat

Start introducing pets in neutral territory. The dog may consider your home as its territory, so it is able to get scared and defend this territory if you unexpectedly bring home a new pet. It will be useful to start introducing the pets somewhere outside, when the cat will be in a fenced enclosure and the dog will be on a leash.

Start from afar and gradually approach the enclosure with your dog. As soon as you get close enough that the dog notices the cat, stop.
Let the dog look at the cat for a while and then say the dog's name. When the dog looks at you, click the clicker and give him a treat. Repeat this process - let the dog look at the cat, say its name, and then reward when it looks at you. The idea is to let the dog know that he is being rewarded for remaining calm in the presence of the cat.
If the dog is too distracted by the cat to concentrate properly, move away from the cat at a distance where the dog can confidently turn in your direction when you say his name.
Gradually move closer to the enclosure with the cat, continuing to perform the same procedure. Be sure to generously treat the dog, it is very important that good behavior is presented to the dog as more beneficial than bad.
Keep practicing until the dog can stand comfortably very close to the cat enclosure. Be patient. The amount of time you have to spend on mastering this stage depends on the dog itself.

Move on to introducing animals to your home by installing a children's gate between two separate rooms. This step is also a good alternative if you are not able to introduce the animals in neutral territory or if the cat does not tolerate being in an outdoor enclosure.
- Place the cat in a room reserved for her, where the dog does not have access. Make sure there is bedding, water and food bowls, a scratching post, a litter box, and cat toys. For a cat, it is necessary to organize a space in which she will feel safe. Give her at least a couple of days to adjust before getting to know the dog.
- Put your dog on a leash, fill your pockets with his favorite treat, and also save some treats for the cat. The door to the room with the cat must be open, but blocked by a children's gate. For the first couple of days, just walk past the door with your dog. Click the clicker and give the dog a treat for calm behavior, and also toss a treat to the cat to also create a positive associative connection with the presence of the dog in her.
- Practice general obedience commands in the vicinity of the cat. It is necessary to make sure that the dog knows how to maintain concentration even in the presence of a cat, and the cat begins to understand that the dog does not pose a threat to it. If the dog is too distracted to focus on you, move a little further away from the cat until you can get the dog's attention. As the dog gets used to it, gradually move closer to the cat.
Use a dog cage to separate two pets from each other while getting to know each other. This step is only possible if the dog is crate trained. If she doesn't have positive associations with being caged, she will probably be too upset to learn anything.
- Send the dog to the crate and lock the door behind him. Bring the cat into the room. The dog may whine, push the door with its paw, or even growl. Let her act naturally. As for the cat, also let her determine the further course of communication with the dog. If she does not want to come to the cage, do not force her. Click the clicker and treat your dog when he is quiet or calm.
- Let the animals do whatever they want for 10-15 minutes and then separate them again. Continue to arrange familiarization meetings until the dog becomes calm in the presence of a cat. After that, proceed with the steps below.

Transition to free communication of animals

Let the cat determine the pace of development of the relationship with the dog. When the cat is comfortable enough to be curious, she will walk up to the children's gate to examine the passing dog. If both animals behave calmly and show curiosity when communicating through the gate, then they are ready to try to start communicating without barriers in the same room.

Keep your dog on a loose leash, but be prepared to react if he decides to chase the cat. In such a situation, it would be appropriate to use the “fu” command. If the dog starts to whine, get irritated or agitated, take the cat back to her room and start repeating obedience commands with the dog until she calms down.

Continue to arrange such meetings for several weeks. Do not try to let the dog off the leash until you are absolutely sure that he will not show aggression and will not chase the cat. It can throw away all the great progress that you have already made.

When you are absolutely sure of your dog, let him off the leash. Keep a close eye on both pets. Be sure to use a clicker and treats to encourage proper dog behavior.

Promoting friendship between dog and cat

Don't let the dog chase the cat. This is the most important milestone in keeping the peace between dogs and cats. If you allow your dog to realize how much fun it is to chase cats, then he will receive positive reinforcement of the behavior that you do not want, which will complicate the further process of his training. Also, the cat herself will understand that the dog should be afraid. Be firm and consistent, and make sure that the dog always strictly obeys the “fu” command.

Be sure to observe the communication of animals. Until the last doubts that animals can be trusted melt away, never leave a cat and a dog together alone. Any quarrels between them in your absence can destroy the progress made. If you're not 100% sure about your pets, always lean towards precaution.

The cat does not understand the purpose of the dog leash, and having it on the dog will not necessarily make her feel calmer. An animal that feels trapped falls into despair, and if the cat does not have the feeling that at any moment she can go where there are no dogs, she may attack the dog herself or try to escape from it.

Animal introductions should be short. Dogs have a fairly small margin of attention, so lessons longer than 15-20 minutes may be less effective. You will most likely have to do a lot of work. Be patient with your dog, any resentment you have will only complicate things.
Do not hurry. Not all dogs learn quickly. You need to progress gradually, always building on what the dog has already learned.
Be careful. Watch for any changes in the animal's behavior, such as new fears, changes in appetite, or a tendency to hide regularly. These are all signs that the process of introducing animals is putting too much pressure on their psyches, so you may need to re-evaluate the realisticness of your expectations.
Take good care of your pets. Dogs and cats will get along best when all their other needs are fully met. A dog that doesn't understand what good behavior is, or that doesn't get enough exercise, is more likely to misbehave. Similarly, a bored cat or a cat that doesn't feel safe, that doesn't have its own dog-free zone, is more likely to show aggression or fear.
Always use positive reinforcement methods. Swearing is not an effective teaching method. The most important part of dog training is being able to tell the animal exactly what you want from him, and turning good behavior for the dog into more beneficial than bad behavior. It is critical for both animals to make a positive association between being together and having good experiences.

Not only does your little rogue have a playful, childish nature, but of course, the instincts of a maturing dog, such as stalking and chasing prey, can be dangerous for your cat or kitten. To rule out such a development of events, it is important to introduce and make friends with a cat in a timely manner so that he accepts her as a family member and can safely play with his new friend.

Introduce your cat to your puppy when he is in a cage. Place the puppy in a cage or paddock so that both animals can get to know each other without being able to harm each other. Despite the fact that cats do not respond well to treats and praise, your puppy simply loves all this. Therefore, thanks to your caresses, praise and treats for good behavior towards the cat, he will soon learn to associate his new friend with your goodwill.

Rub with one towel or thick cloth over your puppy. With another towel, rub your cat. Next, place the puppy-scented towel under the cat's bowl, and the cat-scented towel under the dog's bowl. You can also use the towels you used to dry your pets after showering or bathing. Your own scent, combined with the scent of the animal, will reinforce your pets' sense of being part of your family. Animals will also associate the smell with positive things like communication, petting, and feeding.

Take the cat to your knees. Have a friend or family member hold the puppy. Alternately praise first one animal, and then another, maintaining a quiet comforting conversation. Pay close attention to how comfortable pets feel in each other's presence. If the puppy shows signs of aggression, resolutely stop them and take him away from the cat. If both of your pets are doing quite well or even want to take a nap, then you can be sure that you are on the right track in building friendships between your puppy and cat.

Give your pets the opportunity for social interaction once they start to feel comfortable being together. However, you need to move smoothly, so leave the puppy on a leash so you can quickly intervene if he makes sudden movements or shows aggression. Also keep in mind that the puppy may just want to play. Use various noises, such as clapping your hands, to tell him to stop if he starts playing too rough. And also don't be surprised if the cat starts to show its own displeasure, which is also quite likely.

Instruction

Allocate for each animal its own place to sleep and rest, its own bowl for food, so as not to allow conflicts between them in the struggle for property. At first, feed your pets in the same room, but in different places. In this way, pets will gradually get used to each other's smell, associating it with something positive. Dogs tend to eat their food faster, leaving their bowl empty. Cats often do not finish their food. Therefore, remove the kitten's bowl after he has eaten to avoid the dog eating leftover cat food.

Pay equal attention to both animals so as not to give them a reason for rivalry and jealousy. Pets accustomed to each other often play and sleep together. Warmth-loving cats use the dog as a "living heating pad". At the same time, while licking their skin, clean representatives of the cat family often begin to wash the dog.

How the cat played with the dog

Play? Yes, the cat, of course, played and sometimes even with the dog, but it must be taken into account that she was not an ordinary cat, and her games were of a peculiar nature. The most beloved one is to gallop through all the rooms, pretend to be terribly frightened of something and freeze in the middle of the table in the form of a curved electric arc. Then grin, wave a paw at the astonished puppy and start washing as if nothing had happened.

But it was so, more like a five-second warm-up, good for health. But when a fly flew into the house, or better two, then pandemonium set in. The cat flew head over heels along the upper tier of the house, the puppy did not lag behind on the lower one, the fly somewhere between them, and a terrible cacophony added to this whole tangle. Everyone in the house was extremely happy, well, maybe except for the flies.

But such nonsense was not often honored by the head of the house, which the cat considered itself to be. After all, she kept order in the whole dwelling. And not without reason, such an absent-minded mistress, like hers, still had to be looked for. What is the runaway water worth ...

Flood, or "Save yourself who can"

“So, it happened, she forgot about the bath,” the cat could not believe her eyes. Water with a quiet splash overflowed, and the hostess sat at the table and pounded on the keyboard, completely forgetting about the time, the open tap, the noisy water, and in general about the existence of this world.

"Maybe scratch her?" - the cat asked herself, carefully watching the stream running across the floor. But then she decided to follow the rule of her ancestors and not interfere: “In the end, they dragged this dog into the house, let her report.”

The dog, by the way, was not thoughtful. The poor puppy did not know at all how to behave. He stepped from paw to paw about ten times, scratched behind his ear, yawned widely, and this water continued to crawl stubbornly right at him. The kid did not dare to take any more decisive actions and rightly concluded that the mission of the hostess should begin next.

Alas, he did not know that this case was that rare exception when it was possible for him to vote in the apartment. The puppy decided to crawl under the owner's feet, well, yes, the cat almost fell off the table with laughter. But the dog was serious about informing the elders about the danger coming from the side of the bath, even in such an extremely unusual way.

However, the hostess did not look up from the keyboard and did not pay attention to anything, she only slightly moved the puppy. And the danger, meanwhile, was no longer approaching as a stream, but as a full-flowing river, washing away socks and forgotten balls on the way. The cat was bursting with laughter, sitting on a safe platform and anticipating the ending. The puppy decided that it was time to growl, and then the doorbell rang. It was the next door neighbor...

“Now the main thing is that they don’t cut our rations,” the cat later became nervous, hiding her eyes guiltily and intensively licking her fur coat. And the puppy happily splashed in the puddle behind the mistress, hard helping her to wipe the water with her belly.

How to make friends a dog with a cat? It has long been believed that these two animals are the worst enemies. We have seen more than once how dogs chase tailed purrs.

Zoologists believe that there is practically no true friendship between these animals. Peaceful existence is rather a truce or mutual tolerance. But whatever it is, we still need to figure out how to make friends a dog with a cat.

Adult purr and little puppy

Of course, it is better that the animals live together since childhood, but if this did not work out, then do not be upset.

If a cat already lives in your house, then take a puppy at the age of three to twelve weeks. This way they can get along quite easily, especially if they are not allowed to make close contact at first. Just a little puppy is always friendly, and wanting to play with a cat, he can be rebuffed. It is better to first introduce them at a distance. It is necessary to pay attention to the purr so that she does not feel that she is now an unloved animal.

Cats are very smart creatures, they immediately understand who is to blame for the fact that they have lost their primacy in master's love. As a result of this, the tailed pet will have a desire to take revenge. As you can imagine, this cannot be allowed. Otherwise, an affectionate cat will be aggressive towards the “stranger”. Make sure that the puppy does not bother the purr, does not bite her tail or ears. Remember that dogs don't understand the cat's signs of irritation, so they don't expect it to teach a lesson in "good manners." Warnings include hissing and tail twitching. A small dog will not understand such "hints".

As a rule, puppies do not show aggression towards a cat, due to their friendliness and age. Very often, adult purrs take custody of dogs. Sometimes they remain indifferent. In any case, existence should be peaceful.

Keep an eye on your cat while you're dating. If she bites the puppy's tail, lies on top or in his place, then she treats the baby friendly. If a small dog wags his tail and takes characteristic poses for the game, then he also expresses sympathy for the purr.

During the period when the puppy is behaving friendly, stroke the cat, as she can hardly understand what this little varmint wants.

Adult animals: how to make friends a dog with a cat?

If both animals are already in adulthood, then the situation becomes much more complicated. The first meeting should be carried out very carefully. Sit the dog down, command "Sit!", then praise the command and show the cat. If she runs, then stop any attempts by the dog to follow her. He must understand that you treat the cat peacefully. During the first meeting, you can put on a collar with a leash and a muzzle on the dog.

How to make friends a dog with a cat? It will take a long time until they get used to the presence of another pet. It may take a couple of months to get used to it. A cat should always have a place where she can feel completely safe. Therefore, take care of this in advance. For example, a desk. The best option is another room. There you need to put a bowl for water and food, as well as a house for purrs. Periodically you need to arrange meetings for animals in the same room, start small - one to two minutes. At the same time, always watch the dog, any aggression must be stopped.

dog and kitten

You need to be especially careful when taking a kitten into a house with a dog. After all, the dog, due to natural instincts, has always been hostile and wary of cats, so even in a young creature he can see a problem.

If the dog is tolerant of cats, then their acquaintance should go smoothly, and further cohabitation will not be a burden to anyone.

The first meeting must be held under vigilant control, you need to carefully monitor the reactions of animals.

Let each of them get used to the new neighbor, you do not need to immediately introduce them closer.

Before the first meeting, be sure to walk and feed the dog. Thus, you will reduce the aggressiveness of the dog and save him from additional reasons for concern.

Isolate the animals for a couple of days so that they can get used to the new smells, feel the neighborhood, but not be too close at the same time. After settling, immediately feed both pets, so you can create pleasant associations with them - someone else's smell and delicious food. Thanks to this, the dog will quickly accept a new neighbor.

Then feed the pets in the same room, but at a distance. So for both animals, the new neighbor will be associated with a pleasant meal. But still, be on the lookout at first. After a while, the animals will get used to each other, perhaps they will even sleep together.

Cats and dogs are animals with different behaviors and worldviews, so you need to approach them carefully. It happens differently in every house: somewhere they get along very well, there are times when they don’t get along very well. We hope you understand how to make friends between a cat and a dog. As a result of this, our tips will help you introduce two different, but such beautiful creatures of nature.